W8 r3 - 1st Park Run

[RunForestR]

Don't know if it was the extra rest day after r2 or the fact i was going to run with others for the first time, but approached the run with some trepidation this morning, but who would have thought (other than the programme designers, Laura - obviously, and all the Graduates) that I would be able to run for 5k (apart from one small stretch - but more of that later) and complete my first Park Run only 8 weeks after I started running.

Joined the Lowestoft Park Run today - first time out and the good news was the most easterly park run in the UK was - warm, dry and going to be rain free.

About 200 assembled and I discovered I was one of only 2 or three newbies, oh good! Lots of very fit looking people, so was a bit nervous about the whole thing - but as we counted down to start - plugged in Laura and just focused on running at my pace. The Lowestoft Run is pretty flat apart from one steep path you run twice as you do the circuits, as my normal course has no real hills at all - that was a shock to the system, but kept on going and ran up the hill both times. As I finished the second climb, Laura told me my 28 minutes was up so I slowed to a walk for a quick breather then after 30 seconds trundled back up to a run, and kept on going all the way to the end. Not sure my exact time, but Laura had finished her spiel on the 5 minutes walk, and had just started to tell me to do my warm up walk (it flips back to the beginning on my iPod) so reckon about 35 minutes for the 5k - will check the Park Run Website later to see - but pretty chuffed.

Rest day to morrow and then the first of the 30 minute runs of week 9. Looking forward to running by myself again - then I only have my own pace to compare with. But enjoyed the experience - will do it again - but maybe after I've consolidated at 30 minutes for a few weeks

[damienair Graduate]

Well done. It's great to get your first Parkrun under your belt. Well done also for completing 5K. Don't worry about waiting until your faster or fitter to do your next one. Why not go again next week? It would be a nice way of completing your Graduation run.

I did a Parkrun this morning, my 14th Parkrun, I had a cold during the week and didn't feel up to it. But since it was the 100th at my local Parkrun I wanted to take Part. I was not able to run it all, had to walk a little and slowed my pace down. I coughed and spluttered my way around in 36 minutes. But glad I did it. The cake at the end was lovely too.😀🍰

[RunForestR Graduate in reply to damienair]

Cake......nobody said anything about cake!

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to RunForestR]

Oh yes....there's always cake!, well done, parkrun is fab, best invention ever!

Mx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to RunForestR]

Fortunately I do not like cake.. or chocolate

[dubnde]

I am going for my first parkrun next Saturday. Now you see what you just made me do. Doing W9R3 tomorrow morning.

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to dubnde]

........so now you've got to do it....you've said it here....😉

Mx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to dubnde]

Slow and steady does it.. we all will be out there with you...